Spencer or Trapdoor Springfield?

M14MSgt · November 7, 2009, 05:04 PM

Can't decide which of these to get as my next Cowboy rifle. .45-70 seems less of a hassle that 56-50.

TomADC · November 7, 2009, 05:44 PM

My dad bought two of these H&R Officers model trapdoors my brother has one and I the other, I shoot mine use Goex BP loads in 45-70. It's a ball to shoot hits where aimed. I like the 45-70 just because ammo is readily available.

longranger · November 7, 2009, 06:48 PM

Lots of rounds short distances,Spencer, Single shot long(er) range Trapdoor.

Fingers McGee · November 7, 2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Lots of rounds short distances,Spencer, Single shot long(er) range Trapdoor.

+1.

I've also got an H&R Officers Model Springfield and use it for Plainsman matches and shooting Plainsman category at some monthly SASS matches.

**4V50 Gary** · November 7, 2009, 08:14 PM

What LoneRanger says. BTW, Custer's 7th Cavalry were armed with Spencers up until one year before Little Big Horn.

Crosshair · November 8, 2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

What LoneRanger says. BTW, Custer's 7th Cavalry were armed with Spencers up until one year before Little Big Horn.

Like trading in a M1928 Thompson for a M1903. Depending on what you're doing it could be a very good or a very bad switch.

Jbar4Ranch · November 8, 2009, 06:20 PM

The Trapdoor isn't legal as a main match rifle, while the Spencer is. I've shot my 56-50 in matches and my times went from the mid-30 second range to over 100 seconds, but I had more fun than anybody else.

Kudos for typing the caliber right too! (It's 56-50, not .56-50)

November 7, 2009, 05:04 PM	#1
M14MSgt Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2007 Location: Lancaster CA Posts: 105	Spencer or Trapdoor Springfield? Can't decide which of these to get as my next Cowboy rifle. .45-70 seems less of a hassle that 56-50.

November 7, 2009, 08:14 PM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	What LoneRanger says. BTW, Custer's 7th Cavalry were armed with Spencers up until one year before Little Big Horn. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 8, 2009, 06:20 PM	#7
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	The Trapdoor isn't legal as a main match rifle, while the Spencer is. I've shot my 56-50 in matches and my times went from the mid-30 second range to over 100 seconds, but I had more fun than anybody else. Kudos for typing the caliber right too! (It's 56-50, not .56-50) __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

November 7, 2009, 05:44 PM	#2
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	My dad bought two of these H&R Officers model trapdoors my brother has one and I the other, I shoot mine use Goex BP loads in 45-70. It's a ball to shoot hits where aimed. I like the 45-70 just because ammo is readily available.

November 7, 2009, 06:48 PM	#3
longranger Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: Buffalo WY Posts: 1,056	Lots of rounds short distances,Spencer, Single shot long(er) range Trapdoor.